History

Orwyle succeeded Grand Maester Mellos in 127 AC. In 128 AC, when King Viserys I Targaryen cut himself on the Iron Throne and his wound became dangerously infected, Orwyle was forced to amputate off two of Viserys' fingers. This did not fully help, as Viserys' health detoriated, and the King grew increasingly ill around the turning of the year.[2]

Orwyle pleaded with Aegon II to send him with terms of peace to Rhaenyra Targaryen, but he was initially refused. Eventually, he was dispatched to Dragonstone, where he spoke with Rhaenyra in favor of Aegon II. Rhaenyra refused to give up her claim. The war known as the Dance of the Dragons occurred afterwards. When Prince Aemond Targaryen decided to make Daemon Targaryen their priority, Orwyle was in favor of asking Storm's End for help, asking for caution, but Aemond proceeded with his plans. When Rhaenyra took King's Landing, Orwyle was send out by Queen Alicent Hightower to send out ravens asking for help, but instead he was arrested in his chambers, and escorted to the black cells.[1] There, he wrote his account on the Dance of the Dragons, trying to paint himself in the best light possible, uncertain whether or not he would live.[3]

Notes

Elio Garcia explained:

“

George noted that his account was written up while he sat in a prison cell uncertain if he was going to end up executed or not and wanting to lay down "his side" of the story to try and paint himself in the best possible light. (Yep, Orwyle actually has quite an interesting little story that unfortunately we really had trim almost entirely out of the world book. Definitely will be one of the many highlights of Fire and Blood, IMO.[3]

”

Orwyle's prison-cell account of what happened was therefore probably slanted in Rhaenyra's favor, in contrast with how Septon Eustace's history was slanted in Aegon II's favor. Grand Maester Munkun then based his The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling on Orwyle's already somewhat biased account.